Bangkok--Jun 17--Hill & Knowlton Thailand
Some of Thailand’s top young tech talent today received recognition as Microsoft Thailand announced the top Thai contenders in a global competition that recognizes technological innovations created by the student developer and IT community. At an award ceremony held at the Conrad Hotel, four Thai finalists for the Imagine Cup 2005 software design competition were chosen, including the first-place team which will head to the worldwide finals in Yokohama, Japan, in July.
“The Imagine Cup is a fantastic opportunity for Thai students to compete on a global scale and demonstrate their skills in innovation and integrating technology,” commented Andrew McBean, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. “This year we encouraged Thai entrants to develop web services software programs based on our .NET technology, allowing them to showcase Thai skills on a regional and global stage. We wish the Thai team the best of luck at the worldwide finals in July.”
318 Thai students representing 111 teams competed in the competition. The student teams were asked to submit an application that demonstrated the theme of ‘Imagine a world where technology dissolves the boundaries between us’.
Mr. McBean added, “Web services will re-define the way we live, work and communicate by integrating innovation and breaking down existing boundaries. Working with the Thai Government, we will soon announce a major web services project in Thailand that aims to create an international web services development hub. Ultimately, web services have the potential to help fuel the software ecosystem in Thailand and today’s finalists are a big part of that aspiration. Imagine Cup 2005 is one important aspect that project. ”
Of the 111 Thai teams, twelve finalists were chosen and asked to present their concept papers to a panel of judges. Following that presentation, the four teams were selected for today’s awards ceremony. Today’s winner will receive Baht 100,000 and a trophy from the Prime Minister, as well as an all expenses paid trip to the finals in Japan in July and the opportunity to win the grand prize of $25,000.
The Thai runners up will receive trophy from Microsoft and Baht 30,000 for second place and Baht 10,000 for third place. Runners up in the finals in Japan will receive $15,000 for second place and $10,000 for third.
The Imagine Cup, now in its third year, is a technology competition designed to provide an outlet for students to explore technological and artistic interests outside the classroom. More than 10,000 students from over 92 countries are competing in the nine Imagine Cup 2005 categories, including software design, rendering, algorithm, gaming, short film, IT business plan and web development. Within Thailand, 318 students from more than 23 top research and technical universities competed in the software design competition but were asked to concentrate on web services development.
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Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand.
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Suphada Jaidee
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
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